As the 2024 NFL season approaches, the Green Bay Packers are shaping up to be one of the most intriguing teams in the league. Leading the charge is starting quarterback Jordan Love, who secured his place as the franchise’s future with a four-year, $220 million contract, continuing Green Bay’s remarkable streak of elite quarterbacks.
Throughout the offseason, the Packers’ front office worked diligently to address several key areas on the roster. One of the most notable moves was the signing of free agent Xavier McKinney, along with the selection of three young safeties in the draft, completely overhauling the position. Additionally, the Packers made a bold change in their backfield, signing Josh Jacobs while releasing Aaron Jones.
However, one area that remained surprisingly untouched was the wide receiver position, which raised eyebrows among many observers. After trading All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders following the 2021 season, the Packers responded by drafting Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 2023 offseason saw even more turnover at wide receiver, as veterans Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb departed in free agency, both joining the New York Jets to reunite with Aaron Rodgers. In response, the Packers drafted three more young receivers: Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Grant DuBose.
As Jordan Love entered his first year as the Packers’ starting quarterback, there was no clear-cut number one wide receiver on the roster. Despite this, Green Bay’s passing attack proved to be highly effective and balanced:
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo Doubs | 59 | 674 | 8 |
| Christian Watson | 28 | 422 | 5 |
| Jayden Reed | 64 | 793 | 8 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | 39 | 581 | 4 |
| Malik Heath | 15 | 125 | 1 |
| Bo Melton | 16 | 218 | 1 |
| Luke Musgrave | 34 | 352 | 1 |
| Tucker Kraft | 31 | 355 | 2 |
| Ben Sims | 4 | 21 | 1 |
Jayden Reed set a new Packers franchise record for receptions by a rookie while leading or tying for the lead in every major receiving category.
Throughout the season, multiple receivers stepped up with big performances, particularly in crucial moments. This collective effort led many within the organization to believe that there was no need to acquire a top-tier, number one pass-catcher.
Jordan Love himself expressed confidence in this approach earlier in the offseason, stating, “I think you don’t have to have a No. 1 receiver. I think it works out well when you can spread the ball out and you’ve got different guys making different plays, and you can put ’em in different areas. I think it puts a lot more stress on the defense and the calls they can get in, so I think in the long run it helps us not having a No. 1 guy, a true No. 1 guy, but I think all those guys can step up and be the one any given day.”
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur echoed this sentiment, expressing frustration with the constant questions about a number one receiver. “That’s something you guys [the media] talk about,” LaFleur said. “I think we’ve got a lot of them.” His view on the subject was clear, even going so far as to say that the topic makes him “want to vomit.”
As the Packers gear up for the 2024 season, they appear confident in their unconventional approach to the wide receiver position, believing that their diverse and versatile group of pass-catchers can get the job done.
